Seeking to prevent residential care for young people with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviour: examples and early outcomes from the Ealing intensive therapeutic and short break service

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present early outcomes and case examples from the Ealing Intensive Therapeutic and Short Break Service. Design/methodology/approach – The service was piloted over a period of 3.5 years during which clinical data were collected for young people at risk of a move to residential care. Findings – There were positive outcomes for young people with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviour who were seen through the service with residential placements prevented in the vast majority of cases. Originality/value – These early outcomes highlight the importance of providing intensive therapeutic intervention with short breaks in order to prevent family placement breakdown